If you follow my IG stories, you know that I had an ankle sprain last month which forced me to take a break from exercising for a week. The sprain was a reminder for me of the importance of stretching before and after exercising, which I had become negligent in doing.
In this post I'm taking it back to the basics of stretching - its benefits and some basic stretches you can do before and after working out.
Benefits of Stretching
Keeping your muscles stretched and warm before exercising makes your movements easier and reduces the likelihood of injury.
Stretching improves your posture and flexibility.
It can reduce soreness because of improved blood flow and supply.
Basic Stretches
It's important to stretch correctly to prevent injury, and since I am not an expert in this field, this article and this one provide some basic stretches you can do easily before and after working out. Below are some of my favorites, specifically for the knees and ankles that I incorporate anytime I work out.
Quadriceps Stretch
Ankle Alphabet
One Leg Balance
Standing Toe Touch Stretch
Thanks for reading! Do you have some favorite stretches that you do before or after working out? Please share below!
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